Collin Rich

Collin Rich comes with a wealth of experiences that will benefit the Michigan Tech Team clients and the ecosystem at large. His entrepreneurial experience includes launching and managing R&D projects, strategic planning, IP and operational activities at seven different life-science start-ups in the ophthalmic, cardiac/vascular, ultrasound, histology, immunology, assistive device and clinical lab spaces over the past 22 years. He is also a co-founder of Accuri Cytometers, which was ultimately sold to Becton Dickinson. His formal training as an Electrical Engineer is augmented by familiarity with a wide variety of fluidic, optical, mechanical and other technologies. He has practical experience in managing the fast-paced activity of an aggressive, innovative R&D team and had close collaboration with manufacturing and operational teams. He is co-inventor on over 53 U.S. and international patents. 

Dr. Rich assists in multiple areas for the MI-SBDC, with specific focus on strategic planning for:

• Research & Development: creative approaches to efficient proof-of-concept and risk reduction activities; early-stage team structure; controlling scope creep; alignment of funding sources to development stages; management of internal and external resources; phased go-to-market strategy; balancing market, technical and execution risks
• IP & Patents: short- and long-term patent portfolio strategy; identifying inventions; balancing patents and trade secrets
• Customer Discovery: approaches to ensure strong market fit; uncovering assumptions and anecdotal traps; translating business into technical requirements; planning for reimbursement strategy
• Design controls: balancing nimble, early-stage efforts with long-term regulatory and compliance requirements; planning for tech transfer to manufacturing; establishing a quality system
• Regulatory pathway: planning for FDA, CE and other compliance submissions

Dr. Rich earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan and lives with his family in Southeast Michigan.